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Yakovlev Yak-38

Yakovlev · Fighter / Attack · USSR · Cold War (1970–1991)

The Yakovlev Yak-38 (NATO reporting name Forger) was a Soviet single-seat carrier-based V/STOL strike fighter — the only Soviet V/STOL fighter to enter in-service service + the Soviet Navy's first carrier-based fighter. Alexander Yakovlev designed the Yak-38 in 1967-1971; first flight 15 January 1971. About 231 Yak-38s were built between 1974 and 1989 at Saratov. The aircraft served Soviet Naval Aviation aboard Kiev-class aircraft cruisers 1976-1991.

The Yak-38 used 1 × Tumansky R-28V-300 turbojet (15,300 lbf vectored-thrust) for forward flight + 2 × Rybinsk RD-36-35FVR turbojets (7,170 lbf each) for vertical lift. Maximum speed 1,210 km/h (Mach 0.95), range 600 km combat radius, service ceiling 11,000 m. Armament: 2 × external pylons for up to 2,000 kg of bombs / rockets / R-60 air-to-air missiles. Crew: 1. The aircraft used a 3-engine arrangement (vs. the British Harrier's single Pegasus vectored-thrust engine) — operationally more-complex + maintenance-heavy.

Yak-38 service was concentrated aboard Soviet Kiev-class aircraft cruisers (Kiev, Minsk, Novorossiysk, Baku) 1976-1991. The aircraft saw combat in the 1979-1989 Soviet-Afghan War — Kiev-based Yak-38s deployed land-based for combat trials. The type was retired with the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991; the Russian Navy replaced Kiev-class cruisers with Admiral Kuznetsov-class conventional carriers operating Su-33 fighters. About 8 Yak-38 airframes survive in 2026 at Russian + Ukrainian aviation museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Yakovlev Yak-38 was a Soviet jet fighter that could take off and land straight up like a helicopter. It was the only Soviet jump-jet ever to enter service. The Yak-38 flew from Soviet aircraft carriers called Kiev-class cruisers.

The Yak-38 first flew in January 1971. About 231 were built between 1974 and 1989. The fighter used three engines — one big engine in the back for forward flight, plus two smaller engines in the middle that pointed straight down for vertical lift.

The Yak-38 had one big problem. It could only fly short distances when taking off vertically because the lift engines used so much fuel. Soviet pilots called it the Forger, and it was much less successful than the British Harrier jet. The Yak-38 was retired from the Navy in 1991.

The plane could carry up to 2,000 kg of bombs or rockets on two wing pylons. It was about as long as a city bus. Its top speed was around 750 mph, which is faster than most jet airliners. The Soviet Union later tried to build a better jump-jet called the Yak-141, but that program was also cancelled.

Fun Facts

The Yak-38 could take off and land straight up like a helicopter.
It was the only Soviet jump-jet ever to enter service.
The plane flew from Soviet aircraft carriers in the 1970s and 1980s.
It used three engines — one for forward flight and two for vertical lift.
About 231 Yak-38s were built between 1974 and 1989.
Soviet pilots called it the Forger.

Kids’ Questions

How does a jump-jet take off straight up?

A jump-jet uses special engines that point their hot exhaust straight down at the ground. The downward push lifts the plane into the air like a rocket. Once airborne, the engines tilt to point backward so the plane can fly forward like a normal jet.

Why was the Yak-38 less successful than the British Harrier?

The Harrier used one engine for both lift and forward flight. The Yak-38 used three engines — and the two lift engines were dead weight during normal flight. This made the Yak-38 short-ranged and tricky to fly compared to the Harrier.

Variants

Yak-38 (basic): Single-seat production. ~211 built.
Yak-38U (trainer): Two-seat trainer. ~20 built.

Notable Operators

Soviet Naval Aviation (1976-1991): Sole operator. Kiev-class aircraft cruisers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Yak-38 different from the Harrier?

3-engine vs. single-engine V/STOL. The British Harrier uses a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine with 4 vectored nozzles — efficient but technically demanding. The Yak-38 uses 1 vectored-thrust turbojet for forward flight + 2 separate dedicated lift turbojets for vertical lift — less efficient + maintenance-heavier. The Soviet 3-engine approach was simpler to design but operationally more-complex; the Yak-38's combat radius (600 km) was less than half the Harrier's (1,500 km).

Sources

Wikipedia — Yakovlev Yak-38